Happy ending for foals from Dry Creek roundup

Four foals, dubbed by wild horse advocates as the “Dry Creek quartet,” are now out of harm’s way and under the care of experienced veterinarian Dr. Lisa Jacobson in Northern Colorado.

The foals—individually named by horse advocates as Maestro, Allegro, Cornet and Piccolo– were separated from their mothers, during a helicopter roundup by BLM and State officials near Sheep Mountain in early March. The Cloud Foundation, a wild horse advocacy group, spearheaded the rescue after a kindhearted stockyard owner spotted the baby horses among the adult horses that were about to be shipped to slaughter.

Jacobson, an experienced horse vet and advocate against horse slaughter, estimated that some of the foals were very young at the time they were separated from their lactating mothers.

“It was really staggering that they survived,” said Jacobson. “Some couldn’t have been more than days old at the time of the roundup. Even the oldest was no more than a few months old.”

In spite of their ordeal, Jacobson said the foals were in good health when she received them and they are continuing to thrive.

“If they were sick, we’d be seeing it by now, especially after all the stress they went through,” said Jacobson. “We’re not seeing any coughing or snotty noses. They are eating well and really thriving. At times they are even running, bucking and playing.”

Stacy Newby, co-owner of the Worland Livestock Auction, noticed the foals in the mix with the adults that were about to be shipped to slaughter.

Though she had never seen it personally, she said it is common knowledge that foals, not wanted by slaughterhouses, either die during transport or are killed upon arrival.

“I’ve never seen it myself, but I’ve heard that is what happens and my heart just wouldn’t let that happen,” said Newby. “I knew I could save them and I wanted to give them an opportunity to thrive.”

As the colts were being sorted out, Newby said she wanted them.

“I didn’t really ask, it was more like I just said I was taking them,” she said. “My intent was to raise them, tame them, halter break them and then find them homes. We have the setup to do it and so that was my plan.”

Newby convinced those in charge that she wasn’t taking “no” for an answer, and got the brand inspector to process the proper ownership documents, making her the legal owner.

Kim Michaels of Red Lodge, the Cloud Foundation’s Montana representative, contacted Newby, along with other members from the organization.

“I could tell these gals from the Cloud Foundation really wanted these colts,” said Newby. “They seemed very sincere so I let them take them.”

Ownership was then transferred to Michaels and the foals were transported to Colorado, where they will remain for many months until they are deemed adoptable.

“Lisa (Dr. Jacobson) might have them for up to a year,” said Michaels, who is now the legal owner of the foals.

Ginger Kathrens, founder of the Cloud Foundation, said she was happy the organization was able to assist with the rescue of the foals but at the same time heartbroken that the organization was not given the opportunity to adopt the 40 horses that were sold to slaughter.

7 thoughts on “Happy ending for foals from Dry Creek roundup”

I’m glad that the foals are in good hands now and that they will live in a happy, enriching environment as they are supposed to. However, I find it incredibly disconcerting that individuals with way fewer means do much more to to ensure the welfare of America’s wild horses than a government run organization that has billions of dollars. It’s scary that the BLM invests more money into their own interests than the interests of the public; wild horses being one of them. The government is supposed to listen to it’s people and it seems like they rarely care about our voice, at least in this aspect, if at all.

It could be that the BLM may be changing their tactics as to what happens to the horses after they are rounded up. This is the first time that I know of that they gave them to the state to dispose of instead of taking them to a holding pen. Also surprising that the state refused to allow anyone to buy the horses. These horses could have brought in thousands of dollars. But its also a fact that BLM was caught sending horses to slaughter in the 90s. I have also said that I don’t believe the BLM has as many horses in holding as they claim. One reason they are not forthcoming with the addresses of the ranch or farms where they are supposed to be is because they have already been sent to slaughter. I don’t trust this crooked government, they are capable of anything.

arlene it’s a really sad when money is refused , the offer was there for all the horses, were they under orders not to release the horses to anyone ? at least the foals had someone there looking out for them which in itself is a rarity . but arlene if i had some address for you or any one else i can send you some stuff that will curl your hair ,really has alot to do with what is going on but i need some where to send some of this stuff . please write back

Tears of Joy run down my face as I read the rescue of the foals,but also tears of sadness for the other horses and the mares that were the Mothers to the foals who never see then again , we need to end this kind of cruelty and horror our Mustangs must be set free ….. and we must find the to get this done, Thank You to the wondrous Stacy Newby who would not take no for an answer…..